Jock Itch Information
- Author Rick Hutch
- Published August 22, 2008
- Word count 569
Jock itch, also known as tinea cruris, is a fungal infection of the skin in the groin and upper thighs. The fungus that most commonly causes jock itch is called Trichophyton rubrum. Trichophyton rubrum also causes fungal infections of the toes and body. Lesions caused by jock itch can extend from the crease between the inner thigh and pelvis, over the adjacent upper inner thigh, and into the anal area.
Jock itch differs from genital herpes in that it usually doesn't develop on the scrotum or penis. It tends to spread in the inner thigh area instead. However, a jock itch rash may also affect the genitals and areas around the anus, rectum, or vagina. The skin may crack, scale and be painful, but it usually won't present open lesions like it would with genital herpes. Genital herpes doesn't cause long-term infections. Healthy skin returns after 3 weeks, although slight change in skin color may result.
Causes
The fungus that most commonly causes jock itch is called Trichophyton rubrum. It also causes fungal infections of the toes and body. Under the microscope, this fungus looks like translucent, branching, rod-shaped filaments or hyphae. The width of the hyphae is uniform throughout which helps distinguish it from hair, which tapers at the end. Some hyphae appear to have bubbles within their walls, also distinguishing them from hair. Under most conditions these fungi inhabit only the dead skin cells of the epidermis.
Jock itch is caused by the same fungus that causes ringworm (tinea cruris). Jock itch is much more common in men than in women and develops most frequently in warm weather. The infection begins in the skinfolds of the genital area and can spread to the buttocks, upper inner thighs, armpits and underneath the breasts. Usually the scrotum is not involved (unlike in yeast infection). Anyone can get jock itch. Jock itch named because it is usually athletes who get it, but it can affect anyone who tend to be overweight or sweat a lot.
Symptoms
There are several different jock itch symptoms that will let you know if you have it. Do you notice a circular, raised, red rash around your groin? Have you been experiencing a lot of itching? Does it seem like the more you scratch, the more you itch? Have you had any flaking or peeling of your skin in the groin area? All of these are classic symptoms.
A circular, red, raised rash with elevated edges. Itching and redness in your groin, including your genitals, inner thighs, buttocks and anal area. Flaking, peeling or cracking skin in your groin. Abnormally dark or light skin. You may have other fungal skin rashes such as athlete's foot or ringworm on other body parts.
Treatment
Severe infections, frequently recurring infections, or infections lasting longer than two weeks may require further treatment by your doctor. Stronger prescription medications, such as those containing ketoconazole or terbinafine, or oral antifungals may be needed. Antibiotics may be needed to treat bacterial infections that occur in addition to the fungus (for example, from scratching the area).
Side effects from oral medications include gastrointestinal upset, rash and abnormal liver function. Taking other medications, such as antacid therapies for ulcer disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), may interfere with the absorption of these drugs. Oral medications for fungal infection may alter the effectiveness of warfarin, an anticoagulant drug that decreases the clotting ability of your blood.
Read About Tattoo Designs, Tattoo Magazine Also read about Home Remedies and Herbal Remedies, Natural Remedies
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- The Pseudoscience of Reflexology: Fact or Fiction?
- Choosing the Right Wound Dressing: Foam, Hydrocolloid, and Alginate
- What is Baxter's Neuropathy?
- Medical Uses of Duct Tape: Surprising Benefits
- Is Urine Therapy a Pseudoscience?
- The Painful Problem of Deep Calluses on the Bottom of Your Foot
- Dealing with Ingrown Toenails: Prevention and Treatment
- Saddle Bone Deformity: Causes and Treatment Options
- Thalidomide: A Drug with a Controversial History
- Unlock Crystal-Clear Hearing Naturally: Discover EchoXen’s Revolutionary Ear Drops
- Enhance Your Confidence: Exploring Plastic Surgery in the British Virgin Islands
- Could stem cell research help develop new treatments for neurological injuries and damage
- Unlock Your Body's Potential: Reversing Diabetes Naturally with the Power of Produce
- How do I translate a material safety data sheet for medical devices from English to French?
- Sedation Dentistry 101: Answers to Your Most Common Questions
- Why Your Business Needs MedTech And Life Sciences Consulting For Growth
- What to do at the first signs of the flu and a cold
- How to Cope with Chronic Migraines
- Modern Medical Cabinets
- professional physical therapy Billing services improve practice efficiency.
- Femilon Tablet: A Reliable Birth Control Solution with Ethinyl Estradiol and Desogestrel
- Women's Health Simplified: Your Guide to Affordable Online Medication Options
- Worm Medicine Demystified: How Anthelmintics Work and Where to Find Them Online
- How is an accessory navicular treated?
- Viafet Genomics Centre: Empowering Healthcare in Beirut with Advanced Genetic Testing
- Use of human and animal stem cell derived organoids for medical applications
- USE OF PLANT EXTRACTS IN THE CONTROL OF DISEASES CAUSED BY MOSQUITOES AND OTHER BITTING INSECTS
- Building for Precision: The Importance of Custom Laboratory Design in Scientific Research
- The Incredible Healing Power of Umbilical Cord Stem Cells
- The challenge of Cholera today